THE ULTIMATE TV TUNER CARD
p. 84
WINDOWS 8 , Microsoft s top-secret
8 PC GAME-CHANGERS
We identify the innovative tech that will transform your system in 2011 p. 14
plans revealed? p. 8
PC PC PC p. xx
29Incredibly Powerful
MINIMUM BS • OCTOBER 2010
PC Secrets ¸ Our power-user s guide reveals the most essential tips, projects, hacks, and techniques! p. 24
SUPER-CHARGE ANDROID!
Earn all 29 badges to prove your power-user street cred!
Elevate your smartphone to bold new heights with our advanced guide p. 56
NEXT-GEN MOBOS
Shootout! We lab-test the fastest new 890FX and X58 motherboards p. 46
,
,
WHAT S INSIDE INTEL S LIGHT PEAK? p. 64
p
Unleash your PC’s Potential… Try Each issue of Maximum PC features: ■ Brutally honest product reviews ■ Hard-hitting editorials ■ Tips to blast your machine’s performance ■ Insightful and innovative How-To’s
2 FRl IsEsuEes
Tria
■ A CD loaded with new software, utility and game demos
Reserve your 2 FREE Trial Issues today! There’s no obligation. To order, head to: www.maximumpc.com/archive
WHERE WE PUT STUFF
CONTENTS
OCTOBER FEATURES
24 Mandatory Know-How 29 compulsory skills for every nerd’s arsenal.
46 Mobo Mania
Which motherboard best suits your next rig? We test six that are sure to please.
56 Android
What you need to know about the up-and-coming mobile platform of choice.
DEPARTMENTS
Quickstart 08 NEWS Windows 8 secrets leaked; universal DRM goes beta.
14 LIST Eight new technologies you’ll see in next year’s PCs.
R &D 64 WHITE PAPER Intel’s Light Peak. 65 AUTOPSY Wireless Night-Vision IP camera.
67 HOW TO Get Linux power on your
Windows PC using Cygwin; keep an eye on your hardware with HWMonitor.
In the Lab 73 REVIEWS
48
92 LAB NOTES 96 BEST OF THE BEST
LETTERS
18 DOCTOR 94 COMMENTS
www.maximumpc.com
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OCT 2010
| MAXIMUMPC | 05
MAXIMUMPC
A THING OR TWO ABOUT A THING OR TWO
EDITORIAL Editorial Director: Jon Phillips Editor in Chief: George Jones Deputy Editor: Katherine Stevenson Senior Editor: Gordon Mah Ung Reviews Editor: Michael Brown Senior Associate Editor: Nathan Edwards Online Managing Editor: Alex Castle Online Features Editor: Amber Bouman Online Assistant Editor: Alan Fackler Contributing Writers: Loyd Case, Pulkit Chandna, Paul Escallier, Nathan Grayson, Tom Halfhill, Paul Lilly, Thomas McDonald, Quinn Norton, Zack Stern Copy Editor: Mary Ricci Podcast Producer: Andy Bauman Editor Emeritus: Andrew Sanchez ART Art Director: Natalie Jeday Contributing Art Director: Boni Uzilevsky Photo Editor: Mark Madeo Associate Photographer: Samantha Berg Contributing Photographer: Patrick Kawahara Contributing Illustrators: Adam Benton, Jim Kopp BUSINESS VP Tech and Living/GM: Kate Byrne,
[email protected] National Sales Director: Jane Evans,
[email protected] Regional Sales Director: Anthony Losanno,
[email protected] futureus.com Account Executive: Greg Ryder,